Jordanians have taken to streets in the capital, Amman, in protest against the recent hikes in commodity prices, a tactic used by the government to make up for the budget deficit.
Hundreds of Jordanians braved blistering temperatures and took to the streets in the capital following the Friday prayers to urge the government to find other ways to tackle the country's huge budget deficit, which is expected to reach about USD 3 billion by the end of 2012, rather than putting the entire burden on the nation.
The demonstrators also demanded sweeping political change, constitutional reform and en end to corruption among government officials.
"Instead of raising prices, hold the corrupt accountable. Reform the constitution and let the people see the light," read a banner.
"We want to reform the regime. We do not want empty promises," the protesters chanted as they marched in scorching 42 degree Celsius (108 Farenheit) heat.
"We are not asking for the impossible. We have the right to see reforms and we will not stop our protests until we achieve our goals," former MP Jaafar Hurnai told the crowd.
Some other Jordanians also held a sit-in outside the parliament building, demanding "bread, freedom and social justice."
Similar protests against hikes in commodity prices were also held in the southern cities of Irbid as well as Karak and Tafeilh in the north.
Since January 2011, Jordanians have been holding street protests demanding political reforms, including the election of the prime minister by popular vote, and an end to corruption . Anti-government protests have intensified in recent weeks after the government increased the prices of fuel, electricity and other commodities to offset a USD 3 billion (2.4 billion euro) deficit in this year's USD 9.6 billion budget.
HM/SS/MA